Ensuring Customer Confidence in Their DIY Security System Sponsored by Socian Tech

Ensuring Customer Confidence in Their DIY Security System Sponsored by Socian Tech

Ensuring Customer Confidence in Their DIY Security System Sponsored by Socian Tech

About The Project

Team Size

8

Team Size

8

Sponsored by

SimpliSafe

Sponsored by

SimpliSafe

Project Length

4 months

Project Length

4 months

Primary User

SimpliSafe Customers

Primary User

SimpliSafe Customers

SimpliSafe is a build-your-own smart security system that's easy to setup and use. It alerts authorities of intruders and users of environmental threats like fires and floods.



The system's sensor testing is a confusing and unimaginative process that leaves users concerned if their home is secure.


Important Terminology


Practice Mode

Practice Mode happens automatically during the initial setup of the system and includes a 72-hour period where authorities are not notified when alarms are triggered.


Test Mode

Test mode is a way for the user to verify that their devices are connected to the base station. This is user-activated and done through a button on the individual devices, which then cause auditory feedback from the base station if working correctly.


Monitoring Call

Monitoring Call is when an alarm is set off and SimpliSafe call the emergency contact system. This allows the user to decide to alert authorities if an even is actually happening or if they are not needed.





SimpliSafe is a build-your-own smart security system that's easy to setup and use. It alerts authorities of intruders and users of environmental threats like fires and floods.


The system's sensor testing is a confusing and unimaginative process that leaves users concerned if their home is secure.


Important Terminology


Practice Mode

Practice Mode happens automatically during the initial setup of the system and includes a 72-hour period where authorities are not notified when alarms are triggered.


Test Mode

Test mode is a way for the user to verify that their devices are connected to the base station. This is user-activated and done through a button on the individual devices, which then cause auditory feedback from the base station if working correctly.


Monitoring Call

Monitoring Call is when an alarm is set off and SimpliSafe call the emergency contact system. This allows the user to decide to alert authorities if an even is actually happening or if they are not needed.



Discovery

Discovery

Exploring SimpliSafe's Current Setup Process

What are these testing modes?
Why do user's dislike them?

Methods

Secondary Research | Observations | Interview Study


Output

Comparative Analysis | App Flow Chart | User Painpoints

To better understand the project space, we talked to users, setup a SimpliSafe system, explored the app, browsed competing brands, and located user concerns on the Apple App store and Reddit. We did this to explore user painpoints, locate current struggles, and define our user group.

To better understand the project space, we talked to users, setup a SimpliSafe system, explored the app, browsed competing brands, and located user concerns on the Apple App store and Reddit. We did this to explore user painpoints, locate current struggles, and define our user group.

Key Takeaways

Ideation

Ideation

Initial Ideation

How can we improve the testing mode(s)?

Methods

Sketching | Second Round of Interviews| Concept Testing


Output

Low-Fi Prototype

The research and newfound understandings of how the SimpliSafe system operates were used to narrow down the scope and visualize potential solutions. Our sponsor expressed confusion between SimpliSafe's test mode and practice mode and we found most users did not comprehend that practice mode existed. This lead the main focus to creating a solution that eliminates the confusion between test and practice modes. in addition, our sponsor mentioned how setting up the SimpliSafe system on the mobile application provides a more comprehensive walkthrough than through the alternative way, which is why we designed on a mobile interface.

The research and newfound understandings of how the SimpliSafe system operates were used to narrow down the scope and visualize potential solutions. Our sponsor expressed confusion between SimpliSafe's test mode and practice mode and we found most users did not comprehend that practice mode existed. This lead the main focus to creating a solution that eliminates the confusion between test and practice modes. in addition, our sponsor mentioned how setting up the SimpliSafe system on the mobile application provides a more comprehensive walkthrough than through the alternative way, which is why we designed on a mobile interface.

Low-Fi Prototype

Figure 1 - Low Fidelity Prototype of new testing experience used for testing with SimpiSafe users. Prototype made via Whimiscal application.

Figure 1 - Low Fidelity Prototype of new testing experience used for testing with SimpiSafe users. Prototype made via Whimiscal application.

Figure 1 - Low Fidelity Prototype of new testing experience used for testing with SimpiSafe users. Prototype made via Whimiscal application.

Key Takeaways

Final Design

Final Design

SimpliCheck: One Experience to Check Your Sensor Status, and Practice your SimpliSafe System

Output

Mid-Fi Prototype

To help explain the final design concept, a walkthrough of the final design was created. We created Figma medium-fidelity prototypes to improve on what we created with our low-fidelity prototypes, which align with SimpliSafe's UX design team primarily using Figma. In addition, we conducted usability testing to evaluate our user's understanding of our final design concept.

To help explain the final design concept, a walkthrough of the final design was created. We created Figma medium-fidelity prototypes to improve on what we created with our low-fidelity prototypes, which align with SimpliSafe's UX design team primarily using Figma. In addition, we conducted usability testing to evaluate our user's understanding of our final design concept.

Onboarding Interface

Sensor Overview

Entry Sensor Testing

Motion Sensor Testing

Glass Break Sensor Testing

Monitoring Call Testing

SimpliCheck Completed

SimpliCheck Location

Conclusion

Conclusion

The Value *hypothesized*

SimpliSafe implementing our test mode design would:


  • Boost user confidence in their SimpliSafe system

  • Increase user satisfaction, which would in turn increase product ratings

  • With better user confidence and ratings, sales for the product would increase

Reflection

When I first started this project, I was brand new to UX. This was my first large team experience studio project (5 total), consisting of 8 people. However, the project turned out great, and it established fundamental UX design techniques that I continue to use today.


At the beginning of this project, our group was confused about the difference in meaning between practice and testing mode. This shows our problem space needed a solution.